Jubilant Argentina players sang a chant insulting the English and referencing the Falklands War in their dressing room after their World Cup win over Croatia last night.
In jubilant scenes, Lionel Messi’s teammates whipped their shirts off as they mocked Brazil and England in the new song which has become popular among Argentina fans during the tournament.
The lyrics include a line saying ‘Ingleses putos de Malvinas no me olvido’, which roughly translates as ‘f***ing English in the Falklands, I don’t forget.’
The word ‘putos’ to describe the English often has homophobic connotations and can also mean cowards, and the Falklands are referred to by their Spanish name ‘Las Malvinas’.
The song has since become the Argentina’s top tune on Spotify after the video of the players went viral.
Jubilant Argentina players sang a chant insulting the English and referencing the Falklands War in their dressing room
Defender Nicolas Otamendi shared footage of the team’s celebrations on his Instagram Stories after the 3-0 victory.
Teammates including Manchester United’s Lisandro Martínez and Manchester City’s two time goalscorer Julian Alvarez could be seen joining in on the chant.
The full chant goes: ‘Brazilian, what happened, the five-time champions screwed up. Messi went to Rio and he left with the cup. We are the Argentine band and we will always cheer them on, because we have the dream of being the world champion. I’m like that, I am Argentinian, f***ing English in the Falklands, I don’t forget. I’m like that, I encourage you, I follow Argentina everywhere.’
The opening lyrics reference Argentina’s win in the 2021 Copa America, the South American version of the European Championships, which was held in Brazil, their biggest rival.
In jubilant scenes, Lionel Messi’s teammates whipped their shirts off as they mocked Brazil and England
Defender Nicolas Otamendi shared footage of the team’s celebrations on his Instagram Stories after the 3-0 victory
Manchester United’s Lisandro Martínez (left) and Manchester City’s two time goalscorer Julian Alvarez (right) could be seen joining in on the chant
Argentina still claims sovereignty over the Falklands despite it being a British overseas territory since 1833, and the islanders have voted overwhelmingly to remain part of the UK.
But Argentina claims it acquired the Falklands from Spain in 1816 before Britain asserted its rule.
In 1982, the archipelago was invaded by Argentine forces who were beat back in a ten-week war ordered by Margaret Thatcher and the islands were returned to British control.
Argentina fans have another chant referencing both the English and the Falklands which they have been singing in Qatar.
The lyrics go: ‘We chased the English everywhere, the Germans are afraid to cross us, oh Brazilian, you don’t know what awaits you when you come to play La Bombonera.
‘For the colours of my country I give my life, as the soldiers did in the Falklands, when I die I don’t want any flowers, I want a cloth that has these colours.’
In 1982, the archipelago was invaded by Argentine forces who were beat back in a ten-week war ordered by Margaret Thatcher and the islands were returned to British control. Pictured: British soldiers hoisting the flag after the war
In last night’s semi-final, Messi put in a talisman-like performance during the win over Croatia.
He dispatched the first goal from the penalty spot, and making a beautiful run past defender Josko Gvardiol before playing in Alvarez for his second and Argentina’s third.
After the match, Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni said: ‘Messi is the best in history. I have no doubt… It is lucky, and a privilege to see him wear the light blue and white’.
Messi’s appearance meant he tied the record for most appearances by a man in a World Cup finals, joining German great Lothar Matthaus.
His penalty also secured a national record, as he overtook past hero Gabriel Batistuta for the most goals scored at the World Cup by a player from Argentina, nabbing his 11th goal from 12 yards out on December 13.
Scaloni’s Argentina became just the fifth side in World Cup history to lose their opening game and still reach the final.
The first three all went on to lose the trophy at the end, but Spain emerged victorious in South Africa in 2010 despite an opening defeat to Switzerland.
Argentina’s early 2-1 defeat to Saudi Arabia in Qatar was one of the tournament’s first shocks, and raised questions about whether Messi and his compatriots had what it takes to be in the latter stages.
However, they have since overcome Mexico and Poland in Group C, as well as Australia, Holland and Croatia in the knockout phase on their route to Sunday’s final.
They also have an advantage of an extra 24 hours to prepare for their next match, with Wednesday evening’s decider between surprise package Morocco and 2018 winners France to decide their opponents.
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